Van Nuys | Valley Focus

Latino Troupe Offers Free Acting Classes

A nonprofit Latino theater arts group is seeking participants for its "Theater for Everyone" program, which trains aspiring Latino performers.

The group, Constelacion Agrupacion Teatral, has planned a series of performances at several locations in the San Fernando Valley and around Los Angeles over the next few weeks, and is inviting community members to enroll in its free acting courses for both children and adults.

"It started as a group of volunteers who wanted to help youth and to teach people in the Hispanic community about theater," said Lorena Guardado, a group organizer. "It's designed to bring theater to people who might not have access to it. Maybe there are people with talent and we can help promote them, and also provide a positive outlet for youth in our communities."

The upcoming performances are being billed as a theater festival and will be produced at community centers and church auditoriums in the Valley and other sites around Los Angeles. The first Valley performances will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the auditorium at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, 16711 Gault St. in Van Nuys. Six more performances are scheduled for July at the Van Nuys Recreation Center, 14301 Vanowen St. Admission is $3.

Classes will open in late July at sites in San Fernando, Pasadena, Reseda, Van Nuys and Los Angeles.